American Red Cross Cuts Highlands Director

The poor economy hit home for Art Harriman, service director for the Highlands County office of the American Red Cross, when he learned Wednesday that his position had been cut due to financial considerations.

"We had a staff reduction and due to financials we had to eliminate his position," said Phil Attinger, public relations director for the American Red Cross Polk County Chapter.

"Art Harriman's position was eliminated as of Wednesday," he said. "We're very interested in keeping an office open in the area. The volunteers are running the office at this time."

Tom Costello, executive director of the Polk and Highlands County American Red Cross, said Monday that the decision to eliminate Harriman's position was not a performance-based issue.

He said he and Jeda Smith, the Chief Operations Officer of the Mid-Florida Regional Chapter, met with Harriman Wednesday to break the news.

"This was an economic issue," he said. "This was a decision that was made by the board members of the Red Cross based upon the financials."

Costello said since the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina when everyone gave all they could, donations had seriously dropped off.

He did offer Harriman a position at the Winter Haven office, but due to a reduction in salary, and the travel distance, it was not feasible for him and Harriman declined the offer, he said.

The American Red Cross is in the process of restructuring and this decision is part of the new service structure, he said.

Costello wished Harriman well and said he would receive a severance package based upon his nearly nine years with the American Red Cross.

"I hope there are some resources within the community that can pick him up because they'll get a really good guy and a very loyal worker," said Costello. "He was an excellent spokesman for the organization."

Office hours have been reduced to 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and weekend calls for service would be routed to the Winter Haven office and then relayed back to the volunteers, as they have been doing, said Costello.

"We need the community's support to maintain that presence there," he said.